They say "fall off a horse, get back in the saddle"... guess that applies to me. For the past 4 weeks or so, I've been nursing on injury or another. First tendonitis around my knee, then a wrenched back, blah, blah, blah. I cross trained a little (read "not enough") and have been doing 3 mile walks at lunch time. For the past couple of days, I've felt almost normal, maybe about 95% better. I can't stand it anymore and I won't make my goals if I don't get back out there. With that said, I'm going to head back out the door this afternoon. I will, however, be taking it very, very easy. My plan is to do 1 min/1min run/walk intervals and go 30 to 40 mins, or less if things start to bother me. It's a beautiful spring day in Chicagoland and my hopes are high.
Wish me luck, please.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
Move Mississippi
Heading home after 5 days in Alabama. Sleeping on the sofa is not something that 54 year olds do well. I had ever intention of getting up early and running on the bay shore but man, I had a terrible night's sleep. Just as well. It was very foggy this morning and part of the path is right on the roadway. I would not have felt safe. I've also been feeling a bit gimpy in my left knee. Thinking the extra day off will actually be a good thing. The key will be to get to the gym tomorrow and run. I am scheduled to complete a long run of 10.5 miles this weekend. Trying to decide whether to go for it tomorrow or on Sunday.
Having spent the past few days with my Aunt, I really can appreciate the value of movement. Although she is almost 91 years old, Aunt Marie is spry. She was never a runner but she was always active. My mother, her sister, on the other hand is 11 years younger and has not been active for years. My mother looks younger but moves like she is 101. Even my Aunt's cardiologist's last words, as we headed out the door, were "keep moving". Ain't that the truth! I really want someone to be writing articles about me running or walking marathons when I am in my 90's. Life is about living it not sitting in a chair watching TV.
I know I've been blessed with good genes but it takes work too. Sadly, I stopped at a McDonalds in Mississippi, I have never seen so many huge people both as customers and employees. It was really disturbing as everyone was so out of breath and yet moving so slow. I wish I could gently talk to these folks and convince them of how much better they would feel if they ate a little healthier and moves a bit more. I don't mean to be critical, and they don't need to start running, but they would feel so much better with just small changes.
Having spent the past few days with my Aunt, I really can appreciate the value of movement. Although she is almost 91 years old, Aunt Marie is spry. She was never a runner but she was always active. My mother, her sister, on the other hand is 11 years younger and has not been active for years. My mother looks younger but moves like she is 101. Even my Aunt's cardiologist's last words, as we headed out the door, were "keep moving". Ain't that the truth! I really want someone to be writing articles about me running or walking marathons when I am in my 90's. Life is about living it not sitting in a chair watching TV.
I know I've been blessed with good genes but it takes work too. Sadly, I stopped at a McDonalds in Mississippi, I have never seen so many huge people both as customers and employees. It was really disturbing as everyone was so out of breath and yet moving so slow. I wish I could gently talk to these folks and convince them of how much better they would feel if they ate a little healthier and moves a bit more. I don't mean to be critical, and they don't need to start running, but they would feel so much better with just small changes.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Home is Home
As my Aunt improves, I feel more comfortable slipping out for longer periods of time. Today I got out for a run along the Mobile Bay in Fairhope, AL. I had not run since Friday, way too long! It felt good to get those legs moving. I ended up doing mostly 1 min walk, 1 min run intervals for 70 min. The heat and humidity really slowed me down. I got hot and sweaty running at 38 degrees. At 75 degrees, I was drenched. Fun running along seeing new places and saying good morning to other runners and walkers
But it will be good to get back to Chicago on Thursday. Home is home
But it will be good to get back to Chicago on Thursday. Home is home
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Obstacles
Made it out for a good 6.5 mile run yesterday and had the next week all planned out when ....obstacle! My Aunt Marie in Fairhope, AL is in the hospital and I am unexpectedly going there tomorrow. She is a fabulous woman but she's now 90 years old and has no one nearby. My Uncle died a number of years ago and they did not have children. My Aunt Irma called last night pretty upset about her sister's situation. I didn't commit to going last night but I spoke to Aunt Marie this morning and realized how frail she is. Anyway, my running schedule is all in flux now. Trying to have a zen attitude about this and just go with it. At least it will be warmer down there and there are hills to try.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Beta Blockers and Lights, Oh My!
It occurred to me, while out on a 5 mile lunch time run, why I can go forever but not at a high intensity. It's the beta blocker stupid! About 5 years ago, I started taking a beta blocker for high blood pressure and an arrhythmia and I have pretty much forgotten all about it. It does its job and doesn't cause me any grief. But, and this is a big but, it doesn't allow my heart to go above a certain rate and as such, at some level of intensity I don't get enough oxygen for what I'm asking my body to do. With an excuse in hand, I am now more comfortable about my walking intervals and the slow pace at which I run. So, I still call it running
It has been really nice to get back outside. Running on a treadmill is great (yes, I like the dreaded treadmill) but the only way to harden up those joints and ligaments is to hit the pavement. The marathon will not be run on a treadmill. I was pretty sore after Saturday's 9 miles on the road but am barely feeling today's quick 5. There really is something to be said for consistency. We all know it but I am currently proving it to myself
Do you run with lights even during the day? I do. I have a flashing vest that I wear at dusk but even at midday, I always wear a flashing light. I wouldn't think of biking without one and now I feel the same about running. I know it has caught the attention of a few drivers...as they were about to hit me when they rounded a corner. Stay safe out there and wear light color, flashing lights, etc. Drivers are NOT looking for you unless they're runners
It has been really nice to get back outside. Running on a treadmill is great (yes, I like the dreaded treadmill) but the only way to harden up those joints and ligaments is to hit the pavement. The marathon will not be run on a treadmill. I was pretty sore after Saturday's 9 miles on the road but am barely feeling today's quick 5. There really is something to be said for consistency. We all know it but I am currently proving it to myself
Do you run with lights even during the day? I do. I have a flashing vest that I wear at dusk but even at midday, I always wear a flashing light. I wouldn't think of biking without one and now I feel the same about running. I know it has caught the attention of a few drivers...as they were about to hit me when they rounded a corner. Stay safe out there and wear light color, flashing lights, etc. Drivers are NOT looking for you unless they're runners
Monday, February 20, 2012
9 Miles
Saturday I completed my first 9 mile run. It was quite cold, 35 degrees, but clear and sunny. I plotted out a 3 mile loop from my house with plans to run it three times, perhaps stopping home to warm up. As always, the first 3 miles felt ok but took a fair amount of mental effort. As I passed the house, the first time around, I started to feel really into it, and decided there was no reason to stop. The 4th through 6 mile was great. I was warmed up, enjoying the run, and feeling good. For most of the run, I was doing 2 min run, 1 min walk intervals. At 54, and a newbie runner, I'm finding run walk intervals are the only way to do these long runs. I'm hoping that after this year's marathon, I will have enough of a base to start doing more runs without walk intervals. But for now, that's what I do. As I passed the house the 2nd time, I checked my Gatorade and saw that I didn't need to stop so on I went. Other than getting a bit cold and knowing it was mile 7, 8 and 9, it went well. Doing 3 mile loops gave me a sense is security (I was never too far from home) and I liked knowing just how far I had to go at each point.
It is now 2 days later and my legs are still a little sore but now too much. I opted for a 50 minute elliptical workout today and will run tomorrow. The 9 mile run has given me a great sense of accomplishment. Still a long way to a marathon, but I am pretty sure I can do it
It is now 2 days later and my legs are still a little sore but now too much. I opted for a 50 minute elliptical workout today and will run tomorrow. The 9 mile run has given me a great sense of accomplishment. Still a long way to a marathon, but I am pretty sure I can do it
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Races….er, Runs
I have filled out my racing (running) card for 2012. It is so tempting to run every 5K that is out there. Getting together with a couple hundred to many thousands of people to run for a charity is so much fun. There are all kinds of people – young, old, fast, slow, big, little, tall, short – you name it, they run. Plus there is always a t-shirt or a technical shirt commemorating the run. These are fun to collect and make good shirts to wear while working out. On top of that, there’s often food, pancakes, corned beef sandwiches, apples, bananas, and I’ll always run for food. But this year, I am limiting myself to a running schedule that supports my Chicago marathon goal. I’ve had to be thoughtful about which races I’m signing up for and whether they meet my training schedule. As it stands now, these are the races that I’m doing in 2012
April 15th,10K, NCO Spring Ahead run in Naperville, IL
May 26, Fleet Feet Sports Soldier Field 10 Mile in Chicago, IL
Sept 9th, Ashleycan Pediatric Foundation Half Marathon in Bourbonnais, IL
Oct 7th, Bank of America Chicago Marathon in Chicago
There is a small chance that I will also run the RAGNAR relay from Madison, WI to Chicago, IL on June 8th and 9th. A work friend is putting teams together and if there is still an opening, I might just do it. That would be about 15 or 16 miles broken up into 3 segments over the 2 days and one night. It sounds like a hoot and if I don’t do it this year, it will be a goal for next year.
I will likely add a few organized bike rides to that schedule but no back to back Century rides this year.
I’m planning on using the bike rides and bike riding purely as a cross training tool this year. Unlike most people, I find bike riding BORING; too many hours in the saddle concentrating on the road. With running, you can talk to people, take in the scene and get it done without taking up an entire day.
With that, my race card is full. I’m surprised at how much I am enjoying having a specific training schedule, specific runs/races, etc. It is a lot easier to stick to a plan than to try to maintain fitness in a haphazard manner.
Diet Pepsi update. I’ve not been able to stay on the wagon. I was good for about 2 weeks but it has slipped back in again. I’m not even sure I’m going to try to stop, it just frustrates me!
April 15th,10K, NCO Spring Ahead run in Naperville, IL
May 26, Fleet Feet Sports Soldier Field 10 Mile in Chicago, IL
Sept 9th, Ashleycan Pediatric Foundation Half Marathon in Bourbonnais, IL
Oct 7th, Bank of America Chicago Marathon in Chicago
There is a small chance that I will also run the RAGNAR relay from Madison, WI to Chicago, IL on June 8th and 9th. A work friend is putting teams together and if there is still an opening, I might just do it. That would be about 15 or 16 miles broken up into 3 segments over the 2 days and one night. It sounds like a hoot and if I don’t do it this year, it will be a goal for next year.
I will likely add a few organized bike rides to that schedule but no back to back Century rides this year.
I’m planning on using the bike rides and bike riding purely as a cross training tool this year. Unlike most people, I find bike riding BORING; too many hours in the saddle concentrating on the road. With running, you can talk to people, take in the scene and get it done without taking up an entire day.
With that, my race card is full. I’m surprised at how much I am enjoying having a specific training schedule, specific runs/races, etc. It is a lot easier to stick to a plan than to try to maintain fitness in a haphazard manner.
Diet Pepsi update. I’ve not been able to stay on the wagon. I was good for about 2 weeks but it has slipped back in again. I’m not even sure I’m going to try to stop, it just frustrates me!
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